There has been a huge amount of soul searching after another weekend of, let’s face it, fairly inadequate performances from Northern Hemisphere rugby teams. Ireland struggled to conquer Georgia, England lamely captiulated against South Africa. Even the French victory over Namibia was tainted by the early red carding of one of the more influential Namibian players, their No 8, Nieuwenhuis.

So, what is responsible for this turn of events? Is it down to lack of preparation? Inclement weather? Poor refereeing? In my (humble) opinion, the problem is a much more human one. Lack of belief.

Watch any antipodean side play and you know that every play on the field will be fierecly contested. Forwards continuously hurl their bodies on the line (yes, sometimes illicitly) to prevent opponents getting a hand on the ball. Full backs are peppered with shrapnel kicks and big hits throughout the game. Wings and centres attempt to squeeze through tiny gaps in defences, with a self belief that is quite awe inspiring.

It is not just the player with the ball that exudes such belief – watch the support players steaming across the pitch at full speed to get into a decent supporting position and you’ll start to understand the nature of their desire to play for each other.

Northern Hemisphere teams wadlle around pitch with a sense of apology. A common tendency is to rely on key players to do something special and for the rest of the team to sit back and watch. Yet for all the brawn and bravado, we simply can’t match the brute desire (some may call it arrogance) that the Southern Hemisphere teams display. And it’s getting quite depressing.

Mind you, I would have loved to see Georgia win the other night…